KUALA LUMPUR : The worsening haze has led to rapid increase in the sales of respirator mask and adding to that, clinics has also monitored a rise in the number of patients seeking treatment for respiratory problems.
Pharmacies have reported that masks, both N95 and P100 type were grabbed by Malaysians and also tourist whom are concerned for their health.
“The number of sales for mask has increased to 10 boxes per day in the past 3 days and currently, we are waiting for the suppliers to send in more as we are out of stock” said Lee Calvin, 25 Provisionally Registered Pharmacist of a pharmacy at Jalan Tun Sambanthan.
On asked of which type of respirator mask is better, he said that the N95 is definitely a better choice as it filters fine particles that are produced during haze.
“The N95 provides better protection as they are designed to be sealed against the face of the wearer. This prevents fine particulates of the contaminated air from entering one’s body. But using P100 mask is certainly better than wearing nothing with the worsening of the haze condition” he added.
A piece of N95 is sold for RM6.30, while a pack of 10 P100 mask are sold for RM8.50. The vast difference in the price may explain the reason on why the public prefers the P100 type mask.
Clinics have also monitored an increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for respiratory problems. The number of patients coming in for cough, asthma and sore throat has increased since the haze has worsened.
“Many patients have been coming to get the nebulizer to ease their breathing. Some who came in to our clinic with serious respiratory problems were referred to the specialist” said Siti Sharmiza Abdul Razak, 27, a nurse from a private clinic at Bangsar.
The haze condition in Malaysia has gotten worst compared to last week as wind carried the smog from Indonesia.